National Activity Professionals Week on January, 2020: What are some reasons why Waterton lakes national park became a park?

Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks were both established by their

respective governments within fifteen years of each other a century ago.

2 The people living in Canada and the United States came to these decisions – to set

aside this particular place along their nation’s national frontier – independently.

Upon reflection, it is obvious this particular landscape possessed attributes

recognized at that time by people as somehow being “special.” Certainly the

scenery was spectacular. Moreover, those special attributes were recognized

during a period of natural resource exploitation in both countries as having

greater value to the nation’s citizenry than the use and exploitation that occurred

on other crown and public lands.

This was not the first expression of the national park idea. But it may have been

the first to have occurred in almost the same place, about the same time, by two

different nations, separated only by a national boundary.

How it Started

It is hard to speculate just what people in Canada and the United States at that

time thought about Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks, and the two

parks’ relationship to each other. Within a couple of decades, however, people

on both sides of the national frontier came together for other reasons because

they were drawn to this place.

Rotary clubs had their beginning around this same time (1905) in Chicago,

Illinois, when businessman Paul Harris envisioned a professional club that

captured the same friendly spirit found in the small towns of his youth.

3 He invited a group of people who represented each profession to gather together

once a week. This first “service club” rotated their meetings among one

another’s offices, to better understand what each member’s profession

contributed to community welfare. From the beginning the idea was to give back

to the local community through service, hold each other to high ethical standards,

and thus build goodwill and peace in the world.

By 1921 Rotary Clubs had spread throughout the United States and abroad and

adopted the name Rotary International a year later. Clubs met within their own

regions, or districts, once a year to coordinate activities and service projects. In

1931, Rotarians from the clubs in Montana and Alberta came together in a joint meeting at Waterton Lakes for what became their first annual international goodwill meeting. In the early 1930s, the scars of World War I were still fresh, much of the world was gripped in economic crisis and the first hints of World War II were beginning to emerge. While no exact transcript exists, the idea of creating a “peace park” along the international boundary where both nations had already established national parks is widely attributed to leaders in the Cardston,

(Alberta) Rotary Club. Such a designation was seen as a way to cement harmonious relations between allies while providing a model of peace for nations around the world. Within a year, these citizen Rotarians sought political support

and laid the groundwork that led to both the Canadian Parliament and the U.S.

together as an international peace park. 4 This was the first joint national

expression of its kind in the world.

What is An “International Peace Park” Supposed to Be?

A key thought at the time was that the two parks, while a model, should become

more than just a symbolic idea. For example, most do not realize that the U.S.

legislation “…upon the enactment by the proper authority of the Canadian

Government” of similar legislation, formally made Glacier National Park “a part of

an international park known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park”

(emphasis added).5 It can be argued that from the beginning, it was the intent of

Congress that this be one park, the management of which is shared between the

two countries.

Inexpensive activities in Oahu during February?

There is a wonderful coral lagoon in a submerged volcanic crater with tropical fish called Hanauma Bay, about 30 minutes from Waikiki by city bus (called "The Bus") or 15 min by car if you are renting a car. Besides tropical fish, I have also seen moray eels and sea turtles the last few times I've been there. When you get to the beach, go to the LEFT where there is less beach but deeper water, you will be happier. It is a national park, you will be required to view a video before going out into the water to understand how to protect the reef. Get there VERY early to avoid cloudy water from the tourists kicking up the sand, and also if you drive, getting a parking space can be very difficult.

There is a big snorkel/dive equipment rental operator in the islands called Snorkel Bob's, about $10-$20/week for fins/snorkel/mask depending on the quality you want. They have a shop in different parts of all the islands.

It costs a little, but I strongly recommend you to rent a car, only $185/week including all fees right now, maybe even less. This will allow you to stop on isolated beaches or that pretty jungle or water scene. The quality of your trip will be immeasurably better. Driving to the windward (jungle) side is itself a fantastic experience, and you can stop at Kailua or Lanikai Beach, both considered to be the most beautiful beaches on the island without a lot of people.

On the other side of the island is a spectacular Japanese temple if you have never been to Japan. It is in an amazing location, under the Koolau mountains. Called the Byodo-in Temple, there is also a lake with huge koi that your daughter can feed, and a huge bell you can ring for good luck. (Don't be put off from the entry which is in back of a cemetary!)

The kids all like going to the Nuuanu Pali Overlook. It is historical as this is where King Kamehameha won his final battle, but more importantly it has one of the most spectacular panoramic views in all the islands. But what the kids like is the WIND, which usually funnels through the valley to fierce velocity here.

If you want to watch professional surfers, winter is the time to see them practice on the North Shore (Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, etc.). Stop and have a burger at Kua'Aina Sandwich Shop in the funky surfing town of Haleiwa, and then get the traditional Hawaiian Shave Ice with 3 flavors at Matsumoto's or Aoki's (with vanilla ice cream or sweet beans) down the street. Sit on the beach anywhere, but for people watching and sun-bathing go to Waimea Beach.

The humback whales should still be around Hawaii. They have their babies while in Hawaii, are so cute. Bring binoculars and look for them right off the coast (sometimes VERY close to shore) near the Blowhole overlook, past Hanauma Bay. Look for a large spray of water (looks like steam from a kettle) to locate them when they surface.

If you like to hike, Oahu has great jungle and vista trails:

* Diamond Head - Diamond head is actually a round volcano crater with one side of the rim higher than the other. You can drive to the inside of the crater and hike to the top of the rim for views of Waikiki and Honolulu beyond. Because it is the tropics and the rim blocks the wind, can be VERY hot and dry so bring water and munchies. There will be a lot of people, but to me, this borders on being a "moderate" hike and not merely "easy" but I am not in condition.

* Manoa Falls - Right in the back of Honolulu in the deepest canyon is a beautiful hike to a 150Ft tropical waterfall with lagoon/pool. All jungle trails are muddy and slippery so watch the kids! Don't go in the water although you may see a lot of people in it.. you can be infected with leptospirosis, a parasite. The web site below lists a lot of hikes, but this is really the most spectacular one..you go through bamboo forests, giant ferns, etc.

On the jungle trails, I see a lot of broken flip-flops and abandoned shoes (how do people hike without shoes in the jungle..???). So, either bring Tevas or buy durable rubber flip-flops and not the $10/pair kind from the drug store. Also wear repellent!!

Honolulu's chinatown is like no other that you have seen, even including San Francisco or LA. Make sure to go down Mauna Kea street where the ladies string the flower leis and amazing works of flower art..you can even buy a fresh dendrobium orchid lei for as little as $4.00. Walk into the inside mall of Maunakea Marketplace and you will think you are in Singapore or Thailand.

The locals in Hawaii do not have a lot of money, only the tourists do. Therefore, if you eat in tourist restaurants (except for a few exceptions) you will pay more. Here are a few places you can try:

* For a cheap breakfast in Waikiki, try Wailana Coffee Shop across from the Hilton Hawaiian Village ($5.75 for eggs, pancakes, bacon).

* Duke's on Waikiki has great atmosphere on the beach for a good price, problem is everyone knows it so it is always packed.

* The strong Asian influence has made an art of take-out food that you can buy and take to the beach. You will see "okazu-ya" shops all over. I like the Island Manapua in the Manoa shopping center, where you can get pork manapua (steamed buns filled with barbecue pork) for about $1, and you can't really eat more than two. Teriyaki chicken is sold everywhere.

* Japanese noodle (ramen) shops are popular, but I prefer the traditional saimin noodles. Try "Boulevard's" on Dillingham, halfway between Waikiki and the airport. The location is NOT upscale and you will be the only tourists, but the noodles (get it with their pork won ton) is soooo delicious!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME.

3 Weeks holiday in USA. Suggestions?

You can easily spend months in just the state of Oregon without getting bored. People are way nicer here than on the east coast, and there is every kind of activity you might care to try.

* Multnomah Falls: for the Columbia Gorge. Do the 8+ mile hiking loop up the falls, over to Wahkeenah Falls and down, and return to M.F. along the historic highway. Spectacular samples of gorge micro climates, thick foliage, and occasional great views.

* Hood River: stop at the waterfront for world-class windsurfing and kite surfing (participation or spectating) then drive the "Fruit Loop" toward Parkdale and sample fresh produce and/or food from several farms.

* Continue south on Hwy 35 to west on US 26 to Government Camp, and up to Timberline Lodge. Except for the two weeks after Labor Day, lift-served skiing and snowboarding year round. One-of-a-kind 1930s WPA architecture and craftsmanship with a four star restaurant (casual dress okay) featuring Oregon cuisine with excellent views of the Cascades.

* Continue east on US 26 then south on US 97 to Terrebonne and exit to Smith Rock State Park to see amateur and professional rock climbers on gorgeous rock faces. If you are so inclined, be outfitted and/or receive instruction here.

* South on US 97 to Bend for its three fine restaurants, and dozens of others. The Pine Tavern is the best.

* If you ski or snowboard, and it is between November and June, go out Century Drive to Mount Bachelor for Oregon's largest ski resort, created and designed by skiers for skiers (but run by financial types since 2000 or so). This is also a worthy destination in summer and fall for hiking, especially around the Three Sisters mountains.

* South of Bend is the High Desert Museum, a nice blend of zoo, history, pioneer life, etc. I can't believe how good this place is every time I visit.

* For the extended Oregon tour, with adequate time and interest—especially with a preference for dry climates and few people—go east through to Hart Antelope Range, Burns, Frenchglen, Steens Mountain, Alvord Desert, Owyhee River Canyon like near Three Rivers, Jordan Valley, then turn north to go to Leslie Gulch, the Blue Mountains, Hells Canyon, etc. Then loop back to Crater Lake.

* South on US 97 to OR 138 to Crater Lake, (road closed by snow between Oct-Nov to May-June, in which case go around to OR 230 and OR 62). Huge, clean lake in a volcanic caldera.

* South to Medford and Ashland. Catch a top quality live play related to William Shakespeare. Typically, the original plays are fresher and more compelling than the plays he wrote.

* North on I-5 to Grants Pass, exit to Hwy 199, go south to Cave Junction, and then the 20 mile twisty road to Oregon Caves National Monument, a marble mountain with a gold/silver/etc. mine to tour.

* Continue south through California to the Redwood Trees attraction, and then back up the Oregon Coast.

* At Newport stop for the aquarium, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and to a beach or two going northward: stop at Depoe Bay for the Whale Watching Center and rock shore, then going north, Moolack/Beverly Beach, Tillamook Cheese, and Oswald West State Park.

* Saddle Mountain, 10 miles east of Seaside: a vigorous 5 mile hike to an impressive view of the Pacific and Columbia River, surrounded by forest.

* Astoria: for the mouth of the Columbia River at Fort Stevens State Park, the Megler Bridge, and Astoria's history.

* Return to Portland by following the Columbia. Maybe tour wine country from Forest Grove to McMinnville.